Richard Link, 87, of Bethlehem, passed away May 2, 2020. He was the loving husband of the late Jean N. (Pierson) Link. Born in Bethlehem, he was the son of the late Joseph B. and Rosamond (Brosky) Link. Richard graduated from Allentown Central Catholic High School and attended Bethlehem Business School. Richard served in the U.S. Army 187th Infantry Regiment “Rakkasans” Airborne Combat Team during the Korean War. Richard worked at Hess’s Dept. Store as a Shoe Purchaser and then he worked for many years as an electrician. He was part of the IBEW Local 375. Richard was a member of Saints Simon and Jude Catholic Church.

Survivors: Children- David Link of Bethlehem, Steven Link of Bethlehem, Cynthia Evans and husband Richard of Bethlehem, Paul and wife Angela of Kreidersville, Matthew and wife Theresa of Schnecksville; 9 Grandchildren; 6 Great Grandchildren; sisters- Nancy, Connie and Mary-Anne. He was predeceased by his sons- Richard and Timothy Link, a grandson- David B. Link, brother- Joseph and sister- Betty.

Services will be Private for the family with a Memorial Service to be announced at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Arthur Lorah Sr., 86, of Bethlehem, passed away February 27, 2020. He was the loving husband of 60 years to Nancy (Richards) Lorah. Born in Sheppton, he was the son of the late Arthur and Elizabeth Lorah. Arthur worked for many years as an auto mechanic for Dave and Wayne Auto Center in Bethlehem. He enjoyed reading and going to his cabin with his family.

Survivors: sons- Arthur Lorah Jr. of Bethlehem, Frank Lorah and wife Eileen of Palmerton, Timothy Lorah and wife Angel of Bethlehem Twp; grandchildren- Katrina, Tyler, Victoria, Trevor and Treasure; great grandchildren- Brayden and Blaze; brother- Jim Lorah of Walnutport; special grand dog- Bella. He was predeceased by his sisters- Leona, Georgine and Priscilla.

A calling time will be held on Thursday, March 12th 6-8PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Angela S. (Simonetta) Long, 96, of Las Vegas, passed away December 26, 2019. She was the loving wife of the late Joseph Long. Born in Easton, PA she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Rose (Feli) Simonetta. Angela was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church.
Survivors: Son- Joseph M. Long and wife Mary Beth of Las Vegas, 2 Grandchildren, 2 Great Grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son- John Long.
A viewing will be held on Friday, January 10th 9-10AM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30AM in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery.
Contributions can be made in Angela’s memory to Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church.

Mary Louise (MacLean) Litsch, 92, of Bethlehem, passed away November 10, 2019. She was the loving wife of the late Harry J. Litsch, who passed away in 2014. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Kathryn (Enright) MacLean. Mary Lou graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School in 1945 and from Sacred Heart School of Nursing in 1949. She was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church. Mary Lou enjoyed playing cards, especially bridge with the “Bridge Broads” her regular Monday Bridge Foursome. She was a “Hostess with the Mostess” and was in her element to host Christmas dinners, parties and family dinners. Mary Lou loved to travel the world with her husband and spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Survivors: sons- Robert T. Litsch and wife Tina of Berlinsville, Richard H. Litsch and wife Ellen of Bethlehem; daughter- Martha L. Schumacher of Bethlehem; grandchildren- Erik, Robert, Mary, Amanda, Julie and Nell; great grandchildren- Kyle, Ayden, Aubree, Nicholas, Henry and Julia. She was predeceased by her brother- Francis MacLean and sisters- Ann Farris and Patricia Coughlin.

A viewing will be held on Friday, November 15th 10-11AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 11AM in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Mary Lou’s name to Notre Dame Catholic Church or a charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Irene (Kranyecz) Lewis, 91, of Bethlehem, passed away August 2, 2019. She was the loving wife to John “Jack” H. Lewis for 69 years. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Anna (Podleszek) Kranyecz. Irene was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church. She was an avid bowler and enjoyed reading, cooking, shopping, knitting, needleworking and crocheting.

Survivors: husband- Jack Lewis; sons- John L. Lewis of Effort, James P. Lewis of Bethlehem; daughters- Beverly Ann Kincaid of Bethlehem, Sandra I. Lewis of Bethlehem and Joann Lewis of Allentown; 5 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sisters- Mary Abroms, Vilma Oravec and Helen Ryan and brothers- Joseph, Frank and William Kranyecz.

Services: A viewing will be held on Friday, August 9th 9:30-10:30AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:30AM in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Rd Bethlehem, PA 18018. Burial to follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery.

Contributions can be made in Irene’s memory to Notre Dame Church or to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

Bonita “Bonnie” M. (Higgins) LaBarre, 67, of Bethlehem, passed away May 9, 2019. She was the loving wife of the late Phil LaBarre. Born in Berea, Ohio she was the daughter of the late Anne (Hoch) and James Higgins Sr. Bonnie was an avid reader, loved animals and collecting bells. She will be deeply missed.

Survivors: daughters- Kara Zayas (Tony) of Bethlehem, Gina Lawrence (Anthony Sr.) of Emerson, NE; grandchildren- Alyssa, Angelita, Antonio, Dylan, Anthony Jr., Drayden and Sean; 2 great grandchildren; siblings- James Higgins Jr. (Steph) of Bethlehem, Barbara Keiper (Glenn) of Bethlehem, Scott Higgins (Lois) of Charlotte, NC, Kathleen Locher (Michael) of Bethlehem; many nieces and nephews; former husband-Richard Abruzzese (Edie).

A calling time will be held on Wednesday, May 15th 11AM-12PM with a Memorial Service at 12PM in Downing Funeral Home, Inc. 1002 W. Broad St. Bethlehem, PA 18018. Inurnment to follow in Holy Ghost Catholic Cemetery, Bethlehem.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bonnie’s memory to the American Cancer Society 3893 Adler PL #170 Bethlehem, PA 18017 or to the Bethlehem Public Library 11 West Church Street Bethlehem, PA 18018.

Patricia A. (Sabota) Leperi, 85, of Bethlehem, passed away November 19, 2018. She was the loving wife of the late Dominic F. Leperi. Born in Bethlehem, she was the daughter of the late Andrew and Veronica S. (Havach) Sabota. Patricia worked for John D’Cio Realtor and then for Fairmont’s Apparels before retiring. She was a member of the former SS Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church and a 50 year member of the Slovak Catholic Sokols.

Survivors: son- Dominic A. Leperi and his wife Deanna; grandchildren- Dylan, Dominic and Sophia; nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters- Theresa Groeller and Rosemarie Donchez.

A calling time will be held Monday, November 26th 10-11AM with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11AM in Incarnation of Our Lord Catholic Church 617 Pierce St. Bethlehem, PA 18015. Inurnment to follow in Bethlehem Memorial Park. Arrangements entrusted to Downing Funeral Home, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Patricia’s memory to Incarnation of Our Lord Catholic Church.

Edward A. LaChapelle, 92, of Bethlehem, passed away September 13, 2018. He was the loving husband of the late Jeanne M.(Trainor) LaChapelle. Born in Chicago, IL, he was the son of the late Edward A. and Evelyn M. (Kolb) LaChapelle. Ed served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. Ed retired after 35 years as an engineering manager for Western Electric / AT&T. He was a member of Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church and their 55+ Club. Ed was a member of the Pioneer Club, and organized a continuing education program for seniors at Cedar Crest College. He enjoyed gardening, skiing, food, bowling, bridge, travel, body surfing, coaching children's activities, and cheering on his grandchildren in all of their endeavors. He will be remembered fondly by his children Linda (Jack) Gray of Bethlehem, Edward D. (Zelda Ziegler) of Bend, OR, Richard J. (Dana) of Wilmette, IL, Mary B. (John) Kozma of Bethlehem, John T. (Yifong) of Foster City, CA, Leslie Young of Wayne; grandchildren Michele Gray, Shannon (Jef) Flounders, Jake LaChapelle, Sarah Stevens, Alexis (Thomas) Griffiths, Matthew, Daniel (Elizabeth), Kathryn, and Samuel LaChapelle, Sean, Liam, and Lucas Young; 7 great grandchildren; and his sister Betty Ryan. A viewing and mass will be held on Tuesday, September 18 in Notre Dame of Bethlehem Catholic Church, 1861 Catasauqua Rd, Bethlehem. Viewing starts at 9:30AM and mass will be held at 10:30AM. Burial will follow in Holy Saviour Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Center for Independent Services in Evanston, IL, or to JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) care of Downing Funeral Home, Inc. in Bethlehem.